Santa Barbara County, Southern California

Cachuma Lake

Cachuma Lake

BOATING

MARINAS

FISHING

CAMPING

LODGING

SCENERY

Cachuma Lake Recreation

The Neal Taylor Nature Center

The Neal Taylor Nature Center, open year-round, has hands-on exhibits for kids and adults, and a gift shop. Admission is free with $10 Park Admission per vehicle. Open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Throughout the year various special events are offered. Call (805) 693-0691 for more information or visit The Neal Taylor Nature Center.

Bring water, a hat and a sense of adventure! No pets or strollers please. Limit twenty participants; first come, first served. Private walks can be arranged by calling the Park Naturalist office in advance (805) 688-4515.

Junior Ranger Program

Santa Barbara County Parks Jr. Rangers Program teaches kids about wildlife and how to care for the environment as they earn a badge. Meet at the Neal Taylor Nature Center at Cachuma Lake from 12:30 - 1:30 PM every Saturday, year-round, $3 per child (ages 3 and up). Groups with ten or more participants are asked to call in advance (805) 688-4515.

Cachuma Lake

Cachuma Lake Recreation Area is a beautiful outdoor destination set amidst oak woodlands in the picturesque Santa Ynez Valley. You will find practically everything you need for a relaxing lakeside getaway in the great outdoors. Although no body-to-water contact is allowed, there are still ample recreation opportunities available
around the lake. Visitors enjoy camping, boating, boat and kayak rentals, fishing, wildlife cruises on the lake, bird watching, hiking, disc golf, photography, picnics, a general store and more.

Boating

Cachuma Lake's There is no body-to-water contact allowed, so there is no water skiing or jet skiing. Boats
which pass inspections can be launched the same day. A 40 MPH speed limit in the center of the lake means bass fishermen can move
quickly from area to area. Canoes and Kayaks are permitted and even have areas set aside exclusively for them.

Marinas

Cachuma Lake has one marina with a variety of fishing and pontoon boats for rent, along with paddleboats, kayaks, and rowboats.
There is a good launch ramp. Support services include fuel, a store and snack shop, and boat storage.

Fishing

Cachuma Lake is quickly becoming a leading bass fishing destination. Smallmouth bass are a favorite
target of sportsmen as well as largemouth bass and rainbow trout. Bowfishing for carp is allowed here. Cachuma Lake is also
home to bluegill, catfish redear sunfish, and crappie. An annual trout fishing derby draws large numbers.

Campgrounds

Cachuma Lake campgrounds are part of the Santa Barbara County Park. They are clustered for
the most part on a single peninsula close to the marina, a swimming pool, store, and other support services. Group
campsites and yurts are available. There are several good National Forest campgrounds within a few miles of the lake.

Lodging

Cachuma Lake offers several small cabins for rent at reasonable prices. Beyond those, lodging must
be found in neighboring communities. Prices are generally high.

Scenery

Cachuma Lake rests in the Santa Ynez Valley between ridges of the Santa Ynez Mountains.
Visitors to Cachuma Lake enjoy its rugged beauty, its variety of inlets and coves, and its
wild shorelines.

Nearby Communities

Eight miles to the west of Cachuma Lake is the small community of Santa Ynez with restaurants and
lodging. Twenty-two miles to
the south are Santa Barbara and Goleta. Many visitors to the lake like to take the 12 miles drive to the west to
spend a day in the picturesque Danish town of Solvang.

Cachuma Lake Swimming Pool

Location: Cachuma Lake Recreation Area
Open: Dailky Memorial Day Weekend and June 10 - August 20. After that pool is open Saturdays through September, and every day of Labor Day weekend.
Sessions: Session 1 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM; Session 2 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM
Cost: $3 per session
Lifeguards on Duty

Cachuma Lake Fireside Programs

Cachuma Lake Fireside Programs are available Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. during the summer. The programs are free with a $10 Park Admission per vehicle. Call the Naturalists' Office at (805) 688-4515 for more information or visit Santa Barbara County Parks and click on Cachuma Lake Calendar of Events to see the full line-up.

California's Greatest Lakes

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